1994 – 2024
30 Years of Harvesting and Sharing
Fighting Food Insecurity
We feed the hungry by gathering surplus crops and unsold groceries for food distributors across San Diego County. Help us by volunteering, donating or both!
Latest News
Welcome John McKay
John is an active Senior Gleaners volunteer with a longstanding connection to the South Bay community. As a long-time resident of the South Bay area, John is familiar with both the needs and strengths of this area and will be an asset in building our capacity in that part of the county.
John has extensive professional experience in human resources, advocacy, disaster services, and respiratory care. While at the Red Cross John trained over 750 volunteers. As a naval contractor, he was a coordinator for Family Advocacy Program and Sexual Assault Victim Intervention.
After retiring, he volunteered with the City of Chula Vista as a Crisis Interventionist to victims of fires and criminal events. In addition to regularly participating in gleans, he is also an occasional volunteer at the local library.
Philanthropic Partners
Senior Gleaners was surprised with a $6,250 gift from SPARC, Inc. Not only was it very generous, but it was totally unexpected! As we dug a little deeper into the backstory we learned that SPARC board member, Janees Williams, proposed our organization to be selected for a donation. We couldn’t be more grateful!
This gift will help us continue rescuing and distributing food to those in need and making a direct impact where it’s most needed.
Thank you, SPARC, for believing in our mission and standing with us in service to others.
The Parker Foundation awarded the Senior Gleaners an $11,000 grant to build our capacity in both our Far North District and our South County District. This funding help for our outreach efforts is truly appreciated.
In the Far North communities of Fallbrook, Bonsall and Valley Center there are plentiful sources of produce to be gleaned, more than we have volunteers to handle all of it. In the South Bay, we need both fruit donors and more volunteers. It is a large geographic area that has experienced a lot of residential development that razed the orchards that used to thrive there. Despite these many changes, we know that there are still pockets of citrus that could help fill people instead of landfills.
Interested in volunteering or donating fruit? Visit our Donate page to learn how to donate your time or excess produce.
Recent Gleaning Numbers
San Diego Senior Gleaners Achieves Gold
Seal of Transparency! 
We are thrilled to announce that San Diego Senior Gleaners has officially progressed from the Silver Seal to the prestigious Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! 
This achievement reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability in serving our community. Thank you for your continued support! 
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers 55 years and above. Sign up today by completing our online form.
Donate a Crop
Our crews glean from as few as one or two backyard trees, orchards and farms. If you have crops to donate please contact us. You receive a receipt for tax deductions.
Donate Funds
We rely on grants and donations from our volunteers, their family members and residents. Please support our work with funds, vehicles and more.
Reduce Waste
About 40% of landfill volume is organic material — much of it food waste, producing harmful methane gas. Learn better ways to shop, store food and protect the environment.
Gleaners in Action
What’s a Gleaner? For centuries, gleaners have collected food that would otherwise be wasted. The term originates from landowners leaving portions of their fields or crops for the poor to glean — collect bit by bit.
We Made Quite a Community Impact in 2024
221,143
Pounds Crops Picked
141,471
Pounds Groceries Collected
6028.5
Volunteer Hours Recorded
392
San Diego County Resident Donors
Read What San Diegans are Saying About Us
Residential Fruit Donor
“I rely on the gleaning crew to help me pick my trees. I donate in memory of my wife who planted them many years ago.”
Leonard S.
Senior Volunteer
“Why I like gleaning: It’s useful, fun, outdoors, reduces waste, feeds people. When picking I’m enmeshed in layers of generosity: from those who grow the food; from pickers who give time, work, gas; from distributors; and from many recipients who share the food with family and neighbors.”
Anne G.S.
Monetary Donor
“My daughter is one of your volunteers and she feels strongly about the organization.”
Linda L.
Surplus Food Distributor
“Our clients are delighted to see fresh fruit and more-so when they learn it was donated and picked by neighbors.”
Angela W., Heaven’s Windows
Your Questions Answered
What does the Senior Gleaners organization do?
We provide quality food, otherwise wasted, to those needing it the most while giving meaningful activity to seniors.
How can I contribute to Senior Gleaners?
Volunteer to harvest crops, collect groceries, donate equipment and funds or employ special skills to support our mission.
How do I get started at my first glean?
After you register, a crew leader will contact you and assign you to a glean. They will also provide a brief orientation with helpful tips and information about the property. New grocery volunteers join crews using their own vehicles or a Senior Gleaners van.
Want to give us a try before joining or bringing a friend?
Get a Guest Waiver and give it to the crew leader at the glean. We also require the waiver for ALL minor guests who must be at least five years old.
How are gleans planned?
Our system assigns donors to the crew leader covering their geographic area. We meet or speak with crop owners and discuss logistics before scheduling the glean.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Email info@seniorgleanerssdco.org or call 619.633.9180. We are always happy to assist you.
